Sheila Jackson Lee: “Sometimes we have the opportunity to come and to share some of the joys of America. This month is gospel music history…”

“Sometimes we have the opportunity to come and to share some of the joys of America. This month is gospel music history month, and I am delighted to be able to say that we are celebrating the history of gospel music. In 2008, former Senator Blanche Lincoln and myself introduced a resolution to name September gospel music heritage month, and we are doing that to be able to reflect upon the writers and singers and musicians of gospel music throughout the country, in different areas around, in Appalachia and the Deep South and Midwest and the Far West and the east coast where people sing it in their own way, where soldiers sing the music and people sing it for comfort and joy. Tonight at the Kennedy Center, we will be honoring the former Senator, Blanche Lincoln, of Arkansas with Yolanda Adams and Kirk Franklin. These are individuals who represent a long trend of history in gospel music, but the real idea is to say that America is such a free and wonderful country that we can reflect upon the goodness of so many, singing songs of joy and praise, without the degradation and the trepidation of government interference, gospel music heritage, simply to say thank you--thank you for the music over the years. From the 1700s and 1800s and 1900s, through war and peace, gospel music has been a comfort to many Americans. I am delighted to celebrate and thank all of those who have contributed to the great history of America, gospel music history month. ____________________”